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A Highly Multi-Stable Meta-Structure via Anisotropy for Large and Reversible Shape Transformation
Giada Risso1, Maria Sakovsky1,2, Paolo Ermanni1
1Laboratory of Composite Materials and Adaptive Structures, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, Leonhardstrasse 21, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed novel multi-stable meta-structures for actively controlled, reversible shape transformation and self-locking. These adaptable structures enable programmable locomotion and have broad applications in reconfigurable systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Robotics
Background:
- Shape transformation is key for adaptive devices.
- Reversible, controllable shape change with self-locking is highly desirable but rare.
- Existing solutions struggle to combine these properties effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel class of meta-structures with multi-stability for advanced shape transformation.
- To establish design rules for large shape change, programmability, and self-locking.
- To demonstrate active control and inchworm-inspired locomotion.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing multi-stability in meta-structures.
- Employing highly anisotropic materials.
- Deriving design rules for shape transformation and actuation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a novel class of meta-structures exhibiting multi-stability.
- Established a strong link between multi-stability and the use of anisotropic materials.
- Successfully derived design rules for programmable, self-locking large shape transformations.
- Showcased active shape control for inchworm-inspired locomotion.
Conclusions:
- A novel class of multi-stable meta-structures offers a rare combination of reversible, actively controllable shape transformation and self-locking.
- The findings provide a pathway for developing lightweight, shape-adaptive structures with potential in reconfigurable systems, robotics, and beyond.
- Metamaterial-inspired assembly of anisotropic components unlocks unforeseen properties for advanced applications.
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